Naturally white undyed cashmere pashmina, hand embroidered in a Jamawar style with a 'Chakra' circular design interconnected with vines. The whole of the embroidery has been done in black outlines, coloured with pink and white threads. Chakra is a basic circular motif which is quite traditional in Sozni work. Chakra means constant motion, Sudarshana Chakra signifies 'something bigger', it is a symbol of protection and a sign of hope and knowledge.

The cashmere for the shawl was sourced in 2020 from Mrs. Decchan Dolma of Rango Village. Then taken to Kullu to be de-haired, carded and scoured, this would normally be done in Kashmir but due to the Pandemic, this was not possible.

Spinning is a traditional culture of Kashmir, this is where the soft fibre is converted into ultrafine yarn with a thickness ranging from 110-140 English count, all done by hand. To achieve this kind of quality using modern machinery a carrier fibre would need to be used to stop the thread from breaking. For the fabric to make this shawl the warp was spun in Kullu and the weft in Kashmir making it a unique combination of culture.

Post pandemic the handloom industry had lost almost 50% of its weaving capacity, it was only through people with looms in family-run businesses that fabric was still made in any quantity during the pandemic. Mr Abid Khan, who has 2 pit looms wove the fabric for this shawl and Mr Hamid Ahmed skillfully crafted the hand embroidery. The shawl then travelled to the finishing plant in Hawal Srinigar to be washed and made ready by Mr Zakir Wani in January 2023.

The shawl will be supplied with a book entitled 'The Kashmir Shawl', which will create a backdrop for you of the 'landscape and lives' where these shawls are created.

Composition:100% Cashmere, sourced in Ladakh from Grade 'A' fibres

Size: 97 x 208 cm ( 38 x 82 inches )

Made in Kashmir

Care: Professional cleaning only